Sharaku Woodblock Print – Ōtani Oniji III as Yakko Edobei (大谷鬼次の奴江戸兵衛) | Japanese Ukiyo-e Kabuki Actor Portrait

A masterful ukiyo-e portrait of Ōtani Oniji III as Yakko Edobei, designed by the mysterious Edo-period artist Tōshūsai Sharaku (東洲斎写楽).
This legendary print captures the actor mid-performance, his hands clawed and face drawn in fierce concentration — one of the most iconic images in all Japanese art.

Printed in Japan during the mid-20th century using hand-carved woodblocks and traditional hanga techniques, this reproduction faithfully preserves the power of the 1794 original, including the shimmering mica background.
Sharaku’s portraits mark the height of Edo-era realism and emotional expression in Kabuki theater prints.

Sharaku’s brief but extraordinary career redefined actor portraiture (yakusha-e).
Unlike idealized bijin-ga or decorative landscapes, his prints revealed the drama and psychology of performers.
Ōtani Oniji III was a celebrated Edo actor known for villainous roles, and this pose — caught between menace and charisma — became a visual symbol of Kabuki’s expressive power.

This portrait is among the most famous ukiyo-e images in the world — admired by collectors and museums alike for its psychological realism and dramatic simplicity.
A timeless statement piece that embodies the essence of Japanese Kabuki, Edo culture, and Sharaku’s genius.